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You know what they say about spring showers, don’t you? Even though for some of our customers, this wacky winter of an early spring may have brought on more snowstorms than warm and fragrant April rainstorms, that’s no excuse not to be breaking out May flower-prints at the optimal seasonal time.

So, we made sure to stock up our store – both online and brick-and-mortar – with lots of sweet floral prints from a variety of eras to satisfy that springtime urge to let your wardrobe blossom.

And of course, never ignore the opportunity to mix recent fashion revivals with your vintage finds. In the wake of all the excitement over the peplum come-back, check out the 1960s matching ensemble (right) we found. All the gorgeous quality of a true vintage find with all the buzz of a “new” fashion craze.

If you are anything like us (and let’s face it, you are), you are positively giddy in anticipation of Sunday’s long-awaited return of the team at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and all the intrigue and style they bring along with them.

Even if you weren’t on the bandwagon when Mad Men changed the face of network television (and single-handedly brought back the skinny tie), you are doubtless familiar with the enigma that is Don Draper, the concept of sexy, sexy 1960s advertising, and of course, the stunning Christina Hendricks.

While the show has often teetered on the edge of chauvinism while addressing the environment of a 1960s New York workplace, the leading ladies of Mad Men have left a distinguished mark on not only the sexual revolution of the 60s but on embodiments of femininity and style that are as timeless as they are inspiring.

While the guidelines of being a woman may have been redefined many times over since the days of office martinis and jovial sexism, we can all take a leaf from the women of the Mad Men universe when it comes to personal style – both in our wardrobes and in our demeanor.

Betty (Draper) Francis

“You don’t kiss boys. They kiss you.”

The former Mrs. Draper is not always the most reliable of role-models. From her tantrums to at least one fowl-related killing spree, Betty is the embodiment of the repressed housewife that populated 1960s suburbia.

She is a cookie-cutter example of the frustrated and unsatisfied housewives whose stories inspired The Feminine Mystique, which is largely believed to have led to the second-wave feminism of the 60s.

While Betty manages unexpected pregnancy, divorce, and a truly infuriating husband, she retains a learned quality of poise and reservation that gives her an air of class and invincibility.

If you need a little Betty in your life to face your current challenges, consider some of her staple style – sophisticated and pristine, like this three piece suit with a mink collar. You won’t find a more stylish suit of armor.

Peggy Olson

“I’m Peggy Olson, and I want to smoke some marijuana”

Oh, Peggy. How far you’ve come!

It’s hard to even associate the present Peggy from the days of those horrible bangs and all that drama with Pete.

Peggy is a modern girl who isn’t looking to get married, isn’t content to stay a secretary, and isn’t fetching your damn coffee, thank you very much.

Peggy’s break through into the boys’ club of the advertising industry to a respected member of the creative team is empowering and fun to watch. Her social and sexual exploits of being young and single in the city are also groundbreaking for her era and require a level of spunk and courage that we all could use a little of in our day-t0-day, whether it’s getting up the nerve to pitch an idea to the boss or approaching a man at a stylish rooftop party.

“I said congratulations, didn’t I? Although, sometimes when people get what they want they realize how limited their goals were.”

Those curves! That hair! The strut! There’s no use denying that Joan isn’t the embodiment of sexuality, all wrapped up in bright colors and a saucy wit.

Joan is a woman who understands the rules and makes sure the world sees her adhering to them, even if they break her damn heart. (See: losing the script-reviewing job, marrying the biggest jerk on earth).

While sometimes her concession to the male hierarchy of the times is wrenching and difficult to watch, she has a resilience to her that makes it impossible to believe she’ll be brought down for long.

Her unbridled sensuality and confidence have made her character an absolute staple to the Mad Men universe, gotten her elected the sexiest woman in the world, and has created a style icon across decades and Hollywood body presumptions.

While there can only be one Joan Holloway, you can imitate her fashion sense and her poise with well fitted, bright garments like this tailored wiggle dress and this structured bright red number. And remember, chin up and shoulders back, speak softly and keep it covered or you’ll never be a true Joan.

Ah, springtime. March is peeping around the corner at us and soon it’ll be time to box up our bulky winter coats, shake out our dusty knicknacks, and welcome in the misty showers, pastel sundresses, and shyly blossoming plants that signify the arrival of spring.

Since we enjoy a healthy presence on Etsy, we’ve been browsing around for some sister shops to help you make the transition all the more enjoyable. Take a look at our favorites and enjoy the warmer breezes to come!

Spring Cleaning:

We know you’re dreading it! Somehow snuggling up against the blustery winds of winter gives us leave to let dust gather and clutter compile until we’ve no choice but to devote a weekend (or a week!) to a full-on Spring Clean.

Well, it doesn’t have to be ominous. The darling organizers and shelving from Blue Bird Heaven will give your space the charming, vintage-y asthetic you love while also helping you keep every little thing in its rightful place.

Spring Flowers:

Found in the Ground is an excellent resource for “found” vintage items ranging from gorgeous compacts to quirky figurines. Check out their collection of ceramic flowers for inspiration that may lead to a new look or a new take on your decor this spring.

Spring Lovin’:

Sure, Valentine’s Day has passed us by, but it’s understood that springtime is for lovers. Treat yourself (or your sweetheart) to some custom-made, vintage-inspired lingerie by Sandmaiden.

We can’t get over how affordable this gorgeous, made-to-order neglige and sleepwear is! Treat yourself to something truly romantic and unique with a timeless twist.

While spring might not officially be in the air just yet (Punxsutawney Phil says 6 more weeks!), February presents the perfect excuse to get fluttery and romantic with your wardrobe.

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and while you pick out the perfect card for your sweetheart, bake heart-shaped cakes for your friends, and all-around dominate the month of February, you might as well look fantastic while you’re at it!

Take a cue from the month’s obvious color scheme and reach for the pinks and reds in your wardrobe. Layer according to the temperature in your current locale (our model on the left there brilliantly combined a sheer and ruffled ecru blouse with a cozy angora sweater-vest from the 1960s to create a sweet and stylish ensemble perfect for a seamless transition from a spontaneous rendezvous with someone special to afternoon tea with friends and family.

We’ve gotta be honest. Ever since snagging that photo of Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca for last week’s blog post, we’ve been really feeling some classic cinema – which has presented us with a healthy selection of true love as Hollywood’s Golden Era saw it.

Depending on the tolerance of your sweetheart for a.) sappy lovey dovey storylines and b.) black and white film, it’s easy to stick to new releases and the less saccharine story-lines to keep everyone happy.

Here are three films (from a variety of eras) that will provide you and your honey genuine entertainment and a sweet underlying message (without putting either of you to sleep):

Roman Holiday (1953)

There’s something about this film that makes it watchable over and over and over again. Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn in her Hollywood debut) gets a little drunk on a sedative on a goodwill trip to Rome and decides in her intoxication to climb out the castle window and stumble happily out onto the street, spouting poetry, jumping in vans, and eventually falling asleep on a public fountain.

She’s stumbled upon by a down-on-his-luck American reporter (A very studly Gregory Peck) who takes her in before realizing who she is. As he records all the wacky binds she gets herself in while playing hooky from her job as the Princess, he plans on building the story of his career.

Fun, entendre-laced dialogue and the cheeky fact that this is based on something Princess Margaret of England actually did in the 50s should keep you both fairly entertained, even when you know that these two have little hope of riding off into the sunset together.

At the very least, the quirky and clever Ann will annoy both of you a lot less than whoever Katherine Heigel is playing this season.

Modern Times (1936)

Okay, yes, this is kind of a silent film (but not really), and we imagine that’s already turned some of you off to the idea of watching it, but hear us out!

Firstly, for you film buffs out there, this is the first film in which the world heard the voice of The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin).

Pretty much everyone in the film aside from Chaplin and his ladylove (real-life wife Paulette Goddard) talks regularly, so go ahead and shirk that concern.

Secondly, the premise of this film is a political attack on the giants of the industrial era (namely Henry Ford), and damn was Chaplin a cheeky bastard when it came to calling out people he found politically distasteful (see The Great Dictator, in which he stood up to Hitler before the United States had decided how they felt about him).

No, we’re not cheating. Here’s the deal. If one (or both) of you is just inherently adverse to the idea of watching an “old” film, here’s one that came out last year that has all the makings of a great romantic story without the gushy discomfort of a rom-com (even though that’s what imdb insists on calling it).

Woody Allen’s return to form last year starring Owen Wilson, Marion Cotilliard, Rachel McAdams, and Kathy Bates takes viewers to some seriously unexpected places when Gil (a less-obnoxious-than-usual Owen Wilson) accidentally finds a way to escape his touristic vacation with his insufferable fiancee by jumping back into 1920s era Paris every night.

With hilarious interludes with some of the era’s most famous figures and a healthy handful of personal revelations for Gil, this one stays safely enough out of the traditional romance category to keep even those most cynical, black-and -white-haters amused and entertained.

How can you watch Casablanca and not admire the style-icon that was Ingrid Bergman? In this photo, the cool, contained Ilsa sports a knock-out jeweled brooch on the lapel of her gorgeous shirt dress.

The brooch has gone in and out of vogue on a steady rotation since the dawn of fashion. More recently, you can see them sprucing up gowns on the red carpet, dresses on the first lady, and even adding some sparkle to cloth headbands on it girls.

If you’re looking to add a classic vintage brooch to your collection, it’s important to consider versatility and your personal style.

Whether you want a pop of color like this cheerful red leaf clip or a classic statement of Old Hollywood style a la Bergman like this Blue Rhinestone flower, a well-chosen brooch has the potential to become your signature piece, combining in a variety of ways with the most dressed down to the most formal of your wardrobe pieces.

If you’re not quite ready to commit to something as daring as the above choices, go for a neutral, matte metal in a classic cut. Silver and gold are the obvious choices, like this classic gold leaf, but pearl and black are also solid choices for an understated but elegant addition to your lapel.